Land Conservation

In many ways, the loss of natural spaces and species defines this century. Today, only a small fraction of the Earth’s terrain remains as wilderness or old-growth forests. Pew’s land conservation work spans the United States, Canada and Australia and seeks to safeguard public land for future generations. Our work relies on the sciences of conservation, biology, and ecology to advocate for sound solutions to the loss of biodiversity.

Our Work

All

Wherever it rains, it can flood. After seeing the intensity of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria—Harvey alone dumped 33 trillion gallons of rain on Texas—coastal and inland areas around the country are seeking ways to better withstand floods. And one way to do that is to preserve and expand natural barriers that help protect communities from floodwaters. Read More

From centuries-old redwood forests to panoramic deserts and Arctic tundra, America’s public lands are among the most beautiful and diverse in the world. They filter our air, preserve clean drinking water, and provide vital habitat for bears, birds, salamanders, and many other species. As President Teddy Roosevelt noted, “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever... Read More

The United States needs a national discussion on how to prevent the level of devastation in Houston and Florida from happening again. With large swaths of the South still flooded, that conversation should begin now. Better storm preparedness could have helped lessen the damage from Harvey and Irma, and governments at all levels should invest in readying vulnerable American cities for severe... Read More

In April, President Donald Trump directed the Department of the Interior to review 27 national monuments, designated since 1996, for possible reduction or elimination. During the 120-day review, the department announced that it would recommend no changes for six of them. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was expected to publicly reveal in late August his recommendations for the remaining 21... Read More

Colonial National Historical Park preserves some of the most important sites in early American history. The park includes Jamestown, established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Visitors can experience the convergence of Europeans, Native Americans, and African slaves through historical interpreters at re-created homes and other buildings inside a fort. The... Read More

Research & Analysis

Wherever it rains, it can flood. After seeing the intensity of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria—Harvey alone dumped 33 trillion gallons of rain on Texas—coastal and inland areas around the country are seeking ways to better withstand floods. And one way to do that is to preserve and expand natural barriers that help protect communities from floodwaters. Read More

From centuries-old redwood forests to panoramic deserts and Arctic tundra, America’s public lands are among the most beautiful and diverse in the world. They filter our air, preserve clean drinking water, and provide vital habitat for bears, birds, salamanders, and many other species. As President Teddy Roosevelt noted, “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever... Read More

The United States needs a national discussion on how to prevent the level of devastation in Houston and Florida from happening again. With large swaths of the South still flooded, that conversation should begin now. Better storm preparedness could have helped lessen the damage from Harvey and Irma, and governments at all levels should invest in readying vulnerable American cities for severe... Read More

In April, President Donald Trump directed the Department of the Interior to review 27 national monuments, designated since 1996, for possible reduction or elimination. During the 120-day review, the department announced that it would recommend no changes for six of them. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was expected to publicly reveal in late August his recommendations for the remaining 21... Read More

Colonial National Historical Park preserves some of the most important sites in early American history. The park includes Jamestown, established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Visitors can experience the convergence of Europeans, Native Americans, and African slaves through historical interpreters at re-created homes and other buildings inside a fort. The... Read More

News

The Pew Charitable Trusts expressed concern today about the Bureau of Land Management’s recommendations for changes in the management of sage-grouse habitat on public lands across the West. These recommendations stem from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s order in June that directed an agency review team to assess federal and state conservation efforts that were the result of years of... Read More

The public comment period on 22 national land monuments proposed for possible modification or elimination has ended. Now Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has the task of weighing the enormous outpouring of submissions as he considers his recommendations to President Donald J. Trump, expected by the end of August. Read More

Please join The Pew Charitable Trusts for an online briefing of research examining the flood risk faced by public schools. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States and affects nearly every facet of a community’s infrastructure. Read More

Why should we be concerned about shipping in Arctic waters? What would be the consequences of commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean? How do we anticipate the effects of climate change in the far north? Read More

Pew will host a panel discussion to examine the enormous fiscal challenge facing the National Park Service (NPS). It manages 417 sites, including all national parks and many national monuments and historical sites. Many are badly in need of repairs—on everything from crumbling roads to deteriorating historic buildings—totaling an estimated $11.3 billion. Read More

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston, South Carolina. The natural disaster claimed a dozen lives and caused more than $10 billion in recovery costs. At the time, it was the most destructive and expensive hurricane on record. The city was devastated, but then-Mayor Joseph Riley vowed not just to rebuild, but to rebuild better. His plan included a storm water management plan using underground... Read More

America’s National Park System spans more than 400 sites and received more than 331 million visits in 2016. Supported by a complex infrastructure—including roads, sewer systems, buildings, restrooms, and trails—the park system is beginning its second century in need of rejuvenation. Read More

America’s national parks are more popular than ever, but they’re facing serious challenges. Aging infrastructure and decades of underfunding have resulted in a backlog of maintenance repairs that is estimated at nearly $12 billion. Read More

The Mojave Trails area—one of several proposed California desert national monuments—is perfectly positioned to serve as a wildlife corridor between the local marine base, the Mojave Preserve area, and Joshua Tree National Park. Read More

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The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and invigorate civic life.

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